• ARCs,  Book Reviews,  Fiction

    The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi | ARC Review

    20th September 2020
    Cover of The Silvered Serpents

    The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) by Roshani Chokshi

    CW: dismemberment, torture, blood Forging, off-screen killings, emotional abuse, alcohol, (possible) panic attacks, antisemitism, racism, suicide of a very minor character, bombing, manipulation

    I love the tagline, “They are each other’s fiercest love, greatest danger, and only hope.” Upon finishing, I realized just how true it is.

    “We debase ourselves for the ones we love.”

    Laila
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  • Book Reviews,  Fiction

    The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

    15th September 2020
    Cover of The Gilded Wolves (Roshani Chokshi)

    The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1) by Roshani Chokshi

    The overall atmosphere Chokshi had created was gloomy, haunting, and breathtaking. She stated that the idea for this trilogy stemmed from hearing about the “human zoo” displaying Filipinos in 1904 World’s Fair. Then she came across another “human zoo” featuring “Negro Village” in 1889 Exposition Universelle. The Gilded Wolves series was never meant to be a cheery story. Set in the 19th century, Chokshi wanted to show the “beauty and horror” of La Belle Époque, The Beautiful Era. In her words, “When we revise the horror and sanitize the grotesque, we risk erasing the paths that led us here.” And I love how she managed to achieve telling an honest story with a magical twist in this first installment.

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  • ARCs,  Book Reviews,  Fiction

    On the Square by Brenda Murphy | ARC Review

    17th August 2020
    Cover of On the Square

    On the Square (University Square #1) by Brenda Murphy

    General contractor Dale Miller’s (42, lesbian) ex-girlfriend took all her savings. Tight on money, Dale knows that she needs this business deal when celebrity chef Mai Li (~39, mixed race, lesbian) contacts her to renovate her old family house. Then Dale learns that Mai has nowhere to stay for the time being, so she offers her own basement as temporary lodging. With the both of them being burned in past relationships, Dale and Mai have to figure out if being together is something they both want.

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  • Book Reviews,  Fiction

    Kiss the Girl by Melissa Brayden

    8th July 2020
    Cover of Kiss the Girl (Melissa Brayden)

    Kiss the Girl (Soho Loft #1) by Melissa Brayden

    Brooklyn Campbell and Jessica Lennox are rivals in the New York advertising scene, but neither of them knows that when they run into each other at a bar. The attraction is evident, but then they need to work against the odds if they want to stay in the business and together.

    This is my first try on Melissa Brayden’s books! I don’t know what took me so long to pick one up, but I am so glad I eventually did. Kiss the Girl is light and cute and everything you need for a mood lift.

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